The Storm Crown

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. But, after the purge, they had nowhere else to go. I’d been here most of my life and I’d only ever seen one, but I knew there were more. My sister said it was just a shadow and I’d dreamt it, but I knew it was a dragon.

The valley was home to many magical creatures, although it seemed empty. We rarely saw the inhabitants but it was an enormous forest, and had many secrets. The purge had forced us all into hiding, Faery folk and magical humans were both at risk and the Valley was a safe place. As safe as it could be with the false king on the throne.

My parents were taken in the purge… “Taken” was how my aunt put it so it sounded gentler but they had been murdered. Plain and simple.

I will never forget the warm blood trickling through the floorboards, dripping into my face and hair, unable to wipe it away, for fear the soldiers would hear if we even moved a single muscle. I held my sister as tight as I could, as we lay frozen in our tiny prison, safe from the Greyhounds, the Usurpers royal guards.

My mother had woven the strongest spell of protection over us and wrapped us tight in a concealment cloak, which she’d paid a wizard a small fortune for.

We’d had warning. There were magical networks everywhere and when the Greyhound’s were on the hunt, messages were sent to alert those in the pathway. But the Greyhounds were also well equipped and had their own network of spies. We’d had warning. But it wasn’t enough.

It had been hours before we were able to get out. We had both soiled ourselves and we stank of faeces and urine, blood and fear. A soft voice spoke my name in the dark, and strange hands pulled me from the floor. He told me not to look at anything but him as he lifted both my sister and I into his strong arms and carried us to safety.

I remember thinking he had twigs and leaves twisted through the skinny braids in his long dark hair, but it wasn’t until the next day when I saw him in the light that I realised his hair was made of twigs and leaves. Half human, half tree, our rescuer came from the deepest forest to help save us. His kind don’t usually help mine, but in these strange times, magical folk tend to stick together.

Our new friend was known by most as the Oak Wizard, but he told us to call him Dain. His skin was a rich brown, like the tree he turned into when he took his other form. His eyes were never just green or brown, but constantly changing, depending on his mood. If they turned orange, watch out! Luckily for us, he rarely lost his temper, he was a gentle giant of a man.

He brought us to Prism Valley, a protected forest, far away from everything we’d ever known.

It has been 11 years since we came here. 11 years of hiding in the valley, 11 years of feeling safe. My sister was almost 19, and I almost 16. Once upon a time she would have been handfasted by now, with suitors starting to turn to me, and my parents would be sorting through perspective offers, deciding my fate depending on the strongest alliance. Once, but no more. Our lives now depended on us hiding. Hiding and staying safe, so one day we could take back what was rightfully ours, restore our kingdom and set my sister back on the throne where she belonged.

My sister was every inch the queen she was destined to be. Tall, slim, and beautiful. Her hair was the colour of wild honey, a rich, golden orange, that perfectly set off her bright green eyes. Her pale skin was practically flawless, with only a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her perfect nose. I felt like a grubby child in comparison, I’d inherited my mothers curves and short stature, my hair was a darker red and curly, unlike Elodie’s soft waves. But we had the same eyes, and my skin was also as pale as moonlight.

Dain called us twins, but I knew he was just being kind. Elodie was everything I was not. Quiet, calm and regal. I was impatient and rough.

Dain and his life partner Oltar taught us everything they could. Oltar was also a tree shifter, but whilst Dain’s magic was in healing and nature, Oltar was a warrior. He excelled at swordplay, an unusual sport for his kind, but Oltar was an unusual person. Elodie took lessons from Oltar begrudgingly, but I loved them. The rush of adrenaline as we sparred could not be matched. My small stature was an advantage, I could manipulate my body in ways my tall sister could not.

It had been several months since we’d seen our warrior guardian however, he had gone on some secret mission and was yet to return. I knew Dain was worried but trying hard not to show it.

Our aunt Lyra was also in hiding, but she was somewhere far away, working hard to rescue any magical folk that the Greyhounds hunted. She had visited us just 3 times since we had gone into hiding, and the last time was 5 years ago. Lyra was my fathers twin, with short curly hair, golden like my fathers had once been. I wondered if Oltar had gone to see her, and wished I could go too. I knew I was safest here, but my soul yearned to do something, anything rather than hide away and pretend everything was fine.

A sharp tap at my door woke me from my musings. I sat up in bed and called “Come in.”

Elodie poked her head in my room, her pretty face flushed with excitement. “Come quickly, Reyna! Oltar has been sighted! He is nearly home!”

I jumped up immediately and threw my clothes on, giving them a quick sniff to ensure they were clean.

Elodie tapped her foot impatiently, twisting her hair in a thick braid as she told me what she knew.

“Gwilon sent word that Oltar is close and he is not alone apparently! Aunt Lyra is with him… and someone else too. A young man.”

Gwilon was a rock troll, one of Dain’s oldest friends and a very good spy. He had helped build our underground hideaway, a spacious cave network that my sister and I called home. Dain and Oltar needed no such dwelling, they were creatures of the forest and they slept as their tree forms, preferring the open sky to a dark cave. But my sister and I were not fey. Not like them. Our magical abilities were natural, but we were part human, a mix of two worlds.

I followed my sister out into the forest, our cave entrance neatly concealed beneath a fallen tree. We lived at the entrance to the valley. Dain liked to keep watch to ensure no unwanted visitors came in without his knowledge.

I was still lacing my boots on as we clambered down the rocky path towards the waterfall cave where Gwilon lived. My curls danced in the wind, I hadn’t bothered to tie them back. I marveled at my sisters composure. Even out here in the middle of the forest she looked like a Queen, regal and poised.

Elodie knelt down beside the rivers edge and dipped a finger into the cool water. To anyone watching it seemed like a casual gesture, but I could feel the tingle of magic as my sister sent a message. It wasn’t long before Gwilon’s familiar face appeared, his grey skin blending with the rocks he lived in.

He rubbed his bald head and smiled in greeting. “What can I do for you Princesses?”

“How far is Oltar?” I blurted, cutting off whatever my sister was about to say.

Gwilon grinned knowingly. “He’ll be here within the hour. Perhaps even sooner. You’re welcome to practice your Earth magic while we wait. I’d offer you some refreshments but Dain told me that one of you nearly broke your teeth on my wife’s rock cakes last visit.”

“That’s because they contained actual rocks, Gwilon!” Elodie laughed at the confusion on the trolls face. “We can’t eat rocks!”

Gwilon rubbed his head again and waved us towards his home. I glanced up at the sky as we followed him, unable to shake the feeling that something was watching us from above.

As always, it was freezing in Gwilon’s home. He didn’t seem to notice the cold, but Elodie and I shivered as we strode down the tunnels to see his wife Shelda.

We could hear a distant hum of voices as we walked and Gwilon’s pace increased. “Perhaps they are here already!” He called back over his shoulder.

When we finally reached the main room that Gwilon called home, a familiar brown face broke into a smile and Oltar opened his giant arms to envelop my sister and I in a massive hug.

Elodie broke free first and moved to embrace the woman standing beside Oltar.

“Aunt Lyra, it’s been too long.” Elodie greeted her warmly. I felt suddenly shy looking at the woman who was so familiar yet so unfamiliar all at once. At my sisters glare, I moved to give her an awkward hug, and cursory kiss on the cheek.

Aunt Lyra cupped my cheek with a warm hand and smiled knowingly.

“You are your mothers spitting image.” She gently tweaked one of my curls and looked at Elodie. “Whilst you are your father through and through… although you have your mothers red hair too.”

“But it’s got more of a golden tinge to it, like your father.” Oltar interjected, winking at us.

I suddenly realised there was another person in the room, a tall hooded stranger sat beside Shelda, stirring a hot tea and watching us thoughtfully.

Aunt Lyra followed my gaze and walked over to the stranger, placing her hand on their shoulder. Dressed head to toe in thick black clothes, I could not see their face properly, but I admired the array of weapons they wore: varying sized hunting knives, a crossbow and a deadly looking sword strapped to their back.

“Girls, let me introduce a good friend of mine. This is Lady Hazel Matilda Shaydon.”

Both Elodie and I blurted simultaneously “Lady?” As the stranger threw back their hood and huffed “I told you Lady Lyra, don’t call me that! I’m Zel.”

Zel’s thick black hair was cut as short as a boys, and shaved on one side, with intricate patterns tattooed on the side of her skull. Her blue eyes seemed almost violet in the dark cavern. She wore thick black eye makeup which seemed strangely feminine but made her appear somehow powerful and mysterious.

Lyra chuckled. “I’m sorry Zel. Let me introduce to you, our true queen in waiting, Princess Elodie Quinn Hayolte, and her sister, Princess Reyna Marcelle Hayolte.”

Zel stood up and held out a hand, which my sister stared at for a second as if confused before limply shaking it. I shook her hand enthusiastically to make up for my sisters dead fish handshake.

Shelda poured us a cup of peppermint tea as we all found a seat in the large sitting room. Rock Trolls were not really known for their comforts, but I managed to find a decent cushion to perch on beside my sister.

“Tell us the news, Oltar.” Gwilon leaned forward eagerly.

Oltar flicked one of his short braids off his dark forehead and frowned in thought. He glanced in our direction quickly as if hesitant to say anything in our presence.

“It's best if I wait for Dain,” he said carefully.

“Did I hear my name?” A cheerful voice came from the doorway.

Oltar jumped up and rushed to greet his partner. We all looked away to give them a little privacy, Aunt Lyra taking the lead of the conversation instead.

“There is much to do. And things have changed quite significantly. The false King has snared himself a potential bride and we fear it will not be long before he births an heir. We must act, and things must happen to ensure we are still strong. We must show we are also capable of producing heirs.”

I gaped at my aunt. “How do you mean to do that?”

Elodie blushed and looked at the floor.

Dain and Oltar were now seated beside us, hands entwined. Dain coughed and took Elodie’s hand with his free one and explained gently.

“I had spoken about this with Elodie already but we wanted to wait until Oltar returned to confirm everything.”

“Confirm what?” I asked suspiciously, dread filling my belly.

“In order to ensure our strength, Elodie is to fulfil the betrothal that was arranged when she was born.”

I laughed, waiting for Dain to tell me it was all a joke.

“How is Elodie to fulfil a betrothal in the Valley? Is she to marry a Rock Troll?” I giggled, but my laughter faded at the serious faces of my companions.

“She is to travel to Eilenvark and will be married in secret to Prince Waylen Demacio Maynard. From there they will be taken to a secret location of refuge until we are able to progress in overthrowing the false king and regaining our kingdom.”

My jaw dropped and I stared incredulously at them all.

“You can’t possibly be serious.”

“Seriously serious, I’m afraid.” Dain answered.

Aunt Lyra bit her lip, looking at Dain and Oltar.

“There is a slight issue. Well, a major issue actually.” She paused, huffing out a loud breath. “As you all… I should say, most, of you know, I have been tasked with finding the lost crown of Antryxstorn… and at long last, I have finally found a clue. An ancient scroll has come into my hands… it tells of a friendship between King Antryxstorn and the Dragon Queen. I believe the lost crown is in the Dragons possession.”

“The lost crown… you mean The Storm Crown? You can’t be serious!” I repeated stupidly.

“Seriously serious.” Dain’s face was deadly calm but his eyes twinkled. “Your Aunt thinks the crown is the key to winning this war. If we can obtain the crown, we can finally bring the tyrant false king, Fachnan down. He had some mysterious power in his possession when he overthrew your parents and began massacring the magical folk. He means to keep that power to himself. We believe he has the Chaos Crystal, the magical staff that Queen Keres wielded. She was King Antryxstorn’s wife, and a powerful sorceress. She hid the staff around the same time that her husband hid his crown. The stories say that the Chaos Crystal and the Storm Crown held so much power, the king feared for the life of his only heir, his daughter Tvora. He hid the crown and decreed only a true friend to the crown could ever find it, hoping to keep his daughter safe. It worked, his daughter married for love and the crown became a legendary tale. King Antryxstorn died an old man to a peaceful kingdom and never told where he’d hidden the crown. His wife, Queen Keres, had also hidden her powerful weapon, but no one really knew why. Many thought that the two objects would be together but I have never felt this to be the case. Your aunts research has also debunked that theory, with most stories saying the objects were hidden far from each other. I fear that Fachnan intends to unite the powerful objects and destroy anyone and everything standing in his way.”

“So what is the issue, Aunt Lyra?” Elodie asked softly.

I cringed at her tone, I knew my sister well. She was upset, but putting on a brave face. I knew her better than anyone, we were as close as close can be.

“Oltar cannot escort you as initially planned. He is now well known to the Greyhounds and his appearance is too unique for him to blend in. He came very close to capture many times on our journey to see Prince Waylen and I am certain if he were to leave the valley again he would be in grave danger. I am also well known to the Greyhounds but I am able to blend in, I am human enough in appearance to hide in plain sight. However… if the Storm Crown is indeed in the Dragons keep, I doubt they will speak to just anyone. We must send someone of royal blood to the Dragons lair. Anything less would be an insult. But we cannot risk Elodie, she must marry before the false King Fachnan can wed his bride. And if Oltar cannot escort Elodie, I must escort her to the Prince. Which means there is no one to go to the Dragons.”

“I can go!” I spoke before I could think, jumping up in earnest. “I can go to the Dragons! I have seen one before, I am sure I can find them!”

“You are a child.” Aunt Lyra replied gently. “You are not yet 16, you have not even come into your power yet. You have been sheltered here for 11 years, you do not know what a risk it would be to go in search of the Dragons.”

“You don’t even know if what you saw really was a dragon.” My sister spoke sharply. “You should stay here, you are safe here. Stay with Oltar and Dain.”

I looked at my sister, noticing for the first time how swollen her eyes were, as if she’d been crying recently.

“If we are to part,” I said slowly. “Then I cannot stay here waiting. I need to do this. I know I can find the dragons. Let me go.” I turned my eyes to Dain and Oltar who stared back solemnly. “Please.” I hated how my voice cracked. Hated to show any weakness.

Gwilon rubbed his bald head and nodded. “You know the girl is right.” He said, surprising me. “Dragons are proud, arrogant creatures. They will not speak to just anyone. Princess Reyna is a better deal than Lady Lyra. Not only Royal blood but a direct descendant of the fire queen… no disrespect of course, Lady Lyra.” He intoned quickly, nodding at my aunt. “But you know it’s true. Princess Reyna is the best person to send.”

“She is a child.” My aunt answered angrily, standing up and pacing the floor. “Dain, Oltar, please stop this madness.”

Dain looked at me, scratching his brown cheek, his long braids swishing together as he stood and moved to crouch down in front of me.

“My fire heart, do you know what it means to leave us? To go to the dragons means you must go alone. You have never been alone, truly alone, ever before. It is a long hard journey, and I cannot be with you when you reach your full power. No one will be with you to help you, should you get lost in the shadows.” He spoke so sadly, but my heart soared hopefully as I could see in his eyes that I was to go.

“My Lady Lyra.” Zel stood and bowed to my aunt. “If you so wish, I can escort your niece to the Dragons den and then bring her to your side once we have recovered the Storm Crown. I will protect her with my life, as I have sworn to protect you.”

I frowned, staring at Zel with a raised eyebrow. “I am not some pampered princess,” I spluttered. “I do not need some want-to-be warrior protecting me. Oltar has trained me well, I can hold my own.”

Aunt Lyra sat back down, wringing her thin hands. “Zel’s brother Drefan is to meet me for the journey back, so I would be well protected without her. I think if… and that’s a huge IF, if Reyna is to go to the Dragons, she must not go alone, and there is no one better than Zel to protect her.”

I could practically see Zel’s head swell with pride. I rolled my eyes and argued, not knowing what I was arguing for but my own stubborn nature meant I could not help myself. “I do not need Zel. I can go by myself.”

But I was drowned out by Dain, Oltar and Aunt Lyra who all spoke as if I were not there.

Before I could say another word, the three of them had decided. Aunt Lyra and Elodie were to depart in 3 days to go to Eilenvark, and Zel and I were to depart the same day to find the dragons.

It was a few hours before we left Gwilon and Shelda’s underground home to return home. Dain and Oltar slipped away into to the forest, and Elodie and I took Aunt Lyra and Zel to freshen up and sleep. It had been a long journey and I could see how tired my aunt was. Zel was pretending she wasn’t tired but once my aunt started yawning, Zel could not hold her own yawns back.

We had a comfortable home, with many rooms for guests, and Dain often brought refugees to our hidden domain before they moved on to a new home within the valley.

Zel announced firmly that she needed no bed, she would stand guard outside my aunts door but Aunt Lyra would not hear of it.

“We are SAFE. I promise. Zel, you must sleep and this is probably the last chance you will have to sleep in comfort and PEACE. Take it.“ Her tone brooked no argument.

Zel admitted defeat and the two of them retired to bed. My sister and I went to the kitchen to prepare some food and finally talk.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded as soon as we were alone.

“Dain made me promise.” Elodie avoided my eyes. “He had warned me many a time over the years that it was going to happen but I always thought he meant a long way away… but I am already past the normal betrothal age. We cannot wait forever.”

“But he is a stranger!” I shook my head in disgust. “How can you?”

“Because I must.” Elodie squared her shoulders and faced me. “I have always known what it meant to be the future queen. I accept my fate. I am strong, and I will be strong for our people. I will do what needs to be done.” Her tone softened slightly. “You have no duties to follow. You can just be you, be free and stay safe. Please Reyna, do not go to the Dragons. I will be so worried about you. I thought you would be safe here with Dain and Oltar and you’d be happy here. Happy and safe.”

“And BORED.” I twisted a long red curl around my finger as I looked away from my sisters begging eyes. I shook my head and sighed. “I will be so worried about you, gallivanting away to marry some strange prince I’ve never heard of. You know me, Dee. I am never going to be happy alone in the forest. Aunt Lyra is right… I am my mothers spitting image.”

Elodie gave a half smile but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“The Fire Queen.” She murmured sadly. “Even with all her magic, it wasn’t enough.”

“Fachnan will pay.” I said fiercely. “I will find the Storm Crown and I will make him pay.”

Elodie let out a deep breath, busying herself at the table, chopping vegetables and herbs aggressively. Dain had brought some fresh deer meat in last night which I had helped clean and skin. I knew my sister needed some space to think so I kept quiet and pulled the meat from the cold box to prepare for our stew.

When the meal bubbled away on the stove, Elodie looked at me.

“I have to give you something.” She said abruptly.

Mystified, I followed her to her room.

Elodie pulled a small trunk out from under her bed and unlocked it with a key she wore on a long chain, hidden inside her clothes.

“No one can know about this,” she warned. “Not even Dain or Oltar.”

I nodded, watching in silence as my sister opened the trunk and pulled out the cloak of concealment.

Elodie unwrapped the cloak and pulled a small object from within its folds. Looking at her hands, she told me in a low voice: “Mother gave this to me and told me to keep it safe. She told me to hide it from everyone, even you, until the time was right.” Finally, she raised her eyes to mine.

“It’s true,” she said. “The Usurper has the Chaos Crystal. But he doesn’t have all of it.” She opened her hand and revealed an amethyst crystal shard hanging from a delicate silver chain. “This was passed down the female line, kept secret from all. Queen Keres gave it to her daughter to protect her, as our mother gave it to me. But she always knew it was to go to you. I think you will need it when you go to the Dragons.”

In awe, I took the necklace, hands shaking as I felt the thrum of power coming from the tiny object.

“The Usurper may not even know this shard is missing.” Elodie said. “He would never rest if he did, for the Chaos Crystal will not be as strong unless it is whole. You must keep this safe, until we can take him down.” Elodie lifted the cloak and shook it. To my surprise, a second cloak slid free, which Elodie handed to me.

“Mother wrapped us in two cloaks, one for each of us. She hoped that by combining them, it would act as an extra layer of protection over us. You must keep the shard safe, keep it wrapped in your cloak.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded, hot tears burning my eyes.

The next few days passed in a blur, a frenzy of preparation and packing. I practiced my swordplay with Oltar, trying to ignore the feeling that it may be the last time. Zel watched us spar but said nothing, I wondered if she was surprised at my skill or if she found it lacking. I didn’t know why it mattered, I was confident I didn’t need her.

We said our goodbyes the night before, planning to leave at first light the next morning. I did not cry, not even when Elodie did, I stayed strong… until I was alone in my room.

I woke when it was still dark and quiet. I dressed in my prepared clothing and shouldered my pack. Slowly, I walked around my room, taking everything in one last time. I didn’t want to see my sister again, I didn’t think I could hold it together if I did. As softly as a mouse, I left my home, my safe haven for the past 11 years.

I crept past the two oak trees who slumbered beside the cave, branches entwined.

I did not look back.